Smell-o-vision In Japanese Cinemas

A Japanese cinema screening Colin Farrell's latest film, The New World, will enhance the film by filling the theatre with a variety of fragrances. The smells will waft from machines located at the back of the theatre. For example, floral smells will accompany love scenes. (Woo-hoo! What a turn-on.)

This is only the beginning. Other cinemas will soon be able to download programs to control scents for other films.

The company producing the theatre machines actually launched a home version last year. Costing approximately US$900, the machine provides aromatherapy for work or relaxation. The machine must be topped up with various liquids to produce the scents.

There is also a globe-shaped version of the machine, designed to sit beside a computer and respond to mood changes while a person works. It could be used to keep a person alert while working late at night, or to enhance relaxation before bed.